The James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University conducted a formative research, “Improving Maternal and Child Nutrition (IMCN)” in the Bhasantek slum in Mirpur, Dhaka. The aim of the study was to review the programme approach, service delivery, communication methods, and measure the effectiveness and relevancy of the indicators for achieving the intended outputs in reducing moderately acute malnutrition in urban slums.

The study was conducted during a six week period in 2014 and targeted PLW beneficiaries of the IMCN project, mothers/caregivers of the beneficiary children, key influential people, and IMCN service providers. The survey was conducted through various approaches, including semi-structured and structured interviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation and case studies. Semi-structured and structured questionnaires were used to collect information on socio-economic status, food security, dietary diversity, supplementary feeding, nutritional knowledge and behaviour.